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Bruschetta/ Crostini ideas for New Year Party

One more year comes to an end! This year has been very special. I took wedding vows with an amazing guy, had a beautiful holiday in New Zealand, gave my readers interesting recipes. It has rather passed fast. It's time now to ring in new year with friends and family. While some like to party at a plush hotel, I enjoy doing a house party with friends. Back in Bhilwara, Minal di's family would invite me over for new years. We would chit chat, laugh, gather around bonfire and dance till wee hours of morning. Isn't that the idea? I mean to just enjoy and have a good time with company of good food. Be it any celebration or a party, people gather around food as soon as it arrives. Food brings everyone together :)

In case you are wondering which appetizers to make for new year party, I have put together 3 of my favourite crostinis/burschetta to accompany alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and get the party going.

Brushcetta/crostini is an Italian appetizer which comes together in minutes and warms up your hungry tummy. It is a slice of grilled or toasted bread with toppings on it.

Loaf of bread should be sliced thick, brushed with olive oil and toasted on a griddle (tava),oven, toaster until crisp. Toppings can be whatever you like. I am listing down some of my favourite toppings.

Classic Tomato bruschetta because when it comes to tomatoes, simple is best!

Pesto and mushroom because everything tastes divine with pesto.

Hummus salsa crostini because this appetizer will be made repeatedly in your house!

Method
Sauté chopped mushrooms in butter. Season with salt and pepper and cook on medium heat for 5-10 minutes.(Mushrooms release water while cooking, get rid of excess water before adding mushrooms on toast)

Toast bread and spread pesto on it. Top with mushrooms.

Hummus with salsa crostini (Makes 4)

This one is my favourite, it explodes in mouth with tongue-tickling flavours. I make it all the time when guests come over.

Grill bread in advance and store in air-tight container because the key is to eat crisp crostini and not warm crostini.

Crostini is best eaten as soon as toppings are added to it. Make a crostini bar on your table and let your guests make crostini of their choice. You can have other ingredients like strawberries, guava, goat's cheese, Gorgonzola, avocado, caramelized onion, balsamic vinegar, olives, jalapeños in your crostini bar.